Carton



Nov. 24, 1936. B. J. DAVIDSON CARTON Filed June 23, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y c @261% 0700059@ Ummw USW@ En) c5 J. Dfi muso/v INVENTOR- Nov. 24, 1936. B. J. DAVIDSON 2,062,164

CARTON Filed June 25, 1664 6 sheets-sheep? 33 BEL/CEJp/QV/Do/v lNvENToR-.

` ORNEY Patented Nov. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARTON Bruce J. Davidson,

Kew Gardens, N. Y., assigner to National Biscuit Company,

New York, N. Y.,

10 Claims.

My invention relates to cartons, and has for its principal object to provide a package for fine bakery products and other merchandise that combines the advantages oi both bulk and individual packaging.

Heretofore the finer qualities of bakery products, such as chocolate enrobed and marshmallow lled varieties, have been packed for bulk sales, or have been packed in small sealed pack- A ages for sale by the package. The merchandise packed for bulk sales can be sold at a lower price per pound or number of articles because of the saving in packaging materials and labor in packing, and has this further advantage that the 1'5- goods can be exhibited or displayed in glass covered containers to attract the customers attention and enable him to see just what he is buying. Bulk packaging however does have several disadvanages over individual packages among which are that the goods must be handled by the merchant when weighing or counting, and are then placed in paper bags Where the merchandise becomes multilated,broken and mussed up so that its fine appearance and attractiveness are lost. Also much merchandise is lost by sampling and pilfering from the containers. On the other hand, packaged goods that are packed and sealed by the manufacturer are more convenient to handle in the store and are not touched by the merchant, but are more expensive to the consumer because of the added cost for labor and materials for packing. Also, the customer cannot see the merchandise he is buying unless very expensive transparent packages are used. By the present invention, I have provided a carton for fine mechandise that has all of the advantages of both bulk and individual packaging but without the disadvantges that heretofore have been inherent thereto.

According to one embodiment of my present inventio-n, the merchandise is packed in trays, shallow paper boxes, or other suitable packages, which are adapted to be placed in layers or rows in the fiber containers customarily used for packaging bakery products in bulk. The containers or Qs are of standard size and material and adapted to have the usual glass-front display cover attached thereto to display the contents. A 50 price card or name tag is interlocked with the container and cover to prevent the latters being opened. Each tray is filled with a definite amount of the merchandise, by weight or count, and these trays are packed in the container. 5,5, Preferably the top trays have open tops so that (Cl. 20G-44) their contents can be displayed through the usual glass display front. The container is adapted to be supported in inclined position for display, and the trays are removed from the rear, the container being constructed to open on one side for 5 that purpose.

Preferably, supports are provided in the container to hold the top layer or row of trays close to the display cover s-o that the container always has the appearance of being full and makes an attractive display of the merchandise as the lower trays are withdrawn and sold.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein I have illustrated one form of my invention:

Fig. l shows the blank from which the container is formed.

Fig. 2 shows the container in display position with the back side opened to permit withdrawal of the trays.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the container, the price card being omitted.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 showing how the price or name card interlocks with the cover to prevent its being opened.

Figs. 5 and 6 show one form that the price card may take. f

Figs. 7, 8, and 9 show one form of tray that may be used in my invention.

Fig. Yl0 is a plan view of a blank that is adapted to be inserted in the container to support the to p layer of trays when the lower trays are withdrawn.

Fig. ll shows a partly iilled container with the top tray supports being inserted.

Fig. l2 is a perspective view of a i'llled container, ready to receive its cover.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the stack of trays as they are arranged within the container.

Fig. 14 is a perspective View, partly broken away, showing how the top layer or row of trays is removed.

The blank shown in Fig. 1 is the same in form and material as those customarily used for packing bulk bakery products, and requires just the same amount of material as heretofore used, and no changes in dies or cutting mechanism are required, except to cut .and perforate the line along which the container is opened. It has the usual four side panels II, I2, I3, lil, and top flanges I5 adapted to engage with the usual display cover, and a ilange I6 which may bear the name and price of the goods, or any other printed legend. At one edge there is a flap I'I which is glued or stapled to the edge of the panel I I to form a rectangular container. The bottom ilaps I8, I9 are 55 display the goods.

folded inside of the locking ilaps 20, 2l which interlock to hold the bottom of the container or they may be secured by glue or stapling or any other suitable means or be of any desired dimensions. In o-rder that the container may be opened Itopermit withdrawal of the lled trays, I provide a ,weakened line 22 on the blank, so positioned that it not only gives access to the container, but the portion defined by the weakened line may be turned under the container to provide an easel support in conjunction with the carton cover.'-

This weakened line 22 is formed in part by scores, cuts, and perforations, the type of score depending upon the thickness and strength of material used for making the container and the direction of its grain. In the blank shown, the grain is assumed to run horizontally or lengthwise thereof. This material usually is quite heavy and where the line 22 is to be broken across the grain it may be cut entirely through as shown at 23, 24. The parts 25, 25, 25 are spaced perforations along which the material may be broken readily to release the part 26 of the box that is defined by the weakened line. The portions 21, 21 of the weakened line are creased score lines which provide a hinge for the support 26 when it is turned under the box. The bottom ap I8 is narrower than flap I9, and the creased lines 21, 21 are spaced from the edges of the locking aps 20, 2| a distance equal to the width of the flap I8, so that when the carton is formed, the lines 21, 21 coincide with the edge of flap I8.

' The merchandise preferably is lrst packed in shallow Ytrays or boxes 28 (Figs. 7 to 9) which may be provided with partitions or spacers 29 and covers 30, the latter having tuck flaps 3| and score lines 32 which permit the covers to be turned under the trays as shown in Fig. 9. The trays may or may not have inturned flaps 28 at each end. The trays preferably are made from relatively cheap unprinted cracker-shell or similar card board so that their cost is very little but obviously paper wrappe-d packages or other forms of individual packages may be used. Each one contains a measured quantity of the goods, such as eight pieces, one pound, or the like, as the case may be, and the merchandise is sold in this unit quantity. The width of the trays is a fractional part of the width of the container, in this case one half, and they are packed in the'container as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

When the goods are packed, all of the trays are closed by their covers 3U, except those forming the top layer where the cover is turned under as in Fig. 9. The container is closed by the usual flanged cover 33 (Fig. 2) and delivered to the merchant covered in that manner and with the line 22 intact.

A price or name card 34 (Fig. 5) is packed in each container, this card being adapted to lock the display cover closed, in addition to its other function. The card has a number of transverse score lines 35, 36, 31, 38, 39 along which it may be fol-ded and dividing it into panels 40, 4I, 42, 43, 44. The line 39 has an intermediate offset cut to provide a tongue 45 that serves as a brace to hold the card at the proper inclination, as shown in Fig. 4.

When the merchant receives the merchandise, he removes the cover 33 and places it, anges up, on the counter or otherplace where he wants to He then turns down the flanges I so that they may receive the display cover frame 46. This frame is made from sheet metal and has a hinged lid 41 with a transparent window, as is commonly used by 'gocs Before placing the display cover on the container, the merchant or salesman will fold the card back on the line 38 and then insert the folded edge and the two panels 43, 44 under the edge of the hinged lid 41 (Figs. 4 and 2). The panel 42 is then turned back to contact with the lid 41 and the panel 4I against the frame 46. The panel 40 is turned up inside the frame 46. 'Ihe merchant then slips the frame 46 down over the flanges I5, which hold it in place. The card 45 is then turned to incline rearwardly, the tongue 45 snapping out to form a brace to hold it in that position. The score line 22 is next broken by pressure of the thumb nail or other suitable instrument and the part 26 turned down (Figs. 2 and 3) to form an easel for supporting the box in display position. The carton is then placed on the upturned cover with its lower front edge engaging one of the cover iianges and with the abutment 48 on the support 26 engaging the opposite cover ilange. This exposes the ends of the trays 28 on the back side of the box where they can be withdrawn one at a time by the merchant (Fig. 3). As one tray is withdrawn, those above it drop down so that trays are always handy for dispensing until the carton is empty.

In order that the container shall present a neat and attractive appearance at all times, I provide means for supporting the top layer of trays so that they will not drop down when the lower trays are removed. These supports may be of any kind that effects the purpose, such for example as the bottom lifters shown in my Patent 1,940,848, or the supports 49 shown in Figs. 10 to 14.

The support 49 may be formed fromz a, single piece of card board, stii enough to hold the top trays, as shown in Fig. 10. It is divided by score lines 5B, 5I into a central panel and two legs 52, 53. The length of the legs equals the height of the stack of trays, less the top ones, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. The length of thecentral panel equals the width of the container. Each of the legs is cut away at one corner to provide notches 54, 55, and the supports are placed in the containers so that these notches are adjacent the lower outside corners and permit the ends of the trays to be grasped by the merchant to withdraw them (Fig. 13). These notches on one support coincide with the part of the container that is dened by the cut lines 23, 23, and perforated lines 25, 25. When the container is packed, it is filled with trays up to the top layer, as shown in Fig. 11, then two supports 49 are folded into U form and inserted with the legs 52, 53 between the lower trays and sides of the box. When the lower trays are sold, the supports 49 hold up the top trays until only those remain. Then, to withdraw the top layer, the merchant collapses one of the supports by bending the legs 52 and` 53 inward. This permits the support and one top tray to. be W- ered and withdrawn through the dispensing opening in the back of the container. In Fig. 14 one of the supports 49 partly collapsed, where Vthe leg 52 has been turned in. When the other leg 53 has been turned in, the tray 28 and support can be withdrawn. The supports 49 are made somewhat narrower than the trays 28, and .the top trays and supports lie at right angles to the lower trays.

While I haveshown but one form of support '49 and only one form of dispensing opening in Vthe container, it is within the contemplation of my invention that theyfmaybe embodied in many forms and modifications. A suggested variant of the supports is strips of paper, which would pass under the top trays, with their ends secured by the cooperative action of the ilanges l5 and frame 46 of the display cover. I have also found that the flaps 28 of the top trays, when turned out over the top of the container, will form satisfactory supports.

The two top trays are not closed when packed, but their covers are turned under as shown in Fig. 9. This permits the merchandise to be inspected through the glass cover, but pilfering or sampling is prevented because the price card 34 locks the lid 41 in closed position. When the merchant sells these last two. trays, their covers will, of course, be closed before delivery to the customer. In some cases the top trays may be closed when the goods are packed. But in such cases, they are opened and their covers turned under as shown in Fig. 9, then returned to the container, before the display cover 46 is put in place.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the ensemble of holder, carton, and display cover forms a unit display and dispensing device that can be placed wherever desired. The merchandise is effectively displayed, and the trays 28 are easily accessible for sale to the customers. Pilfering and sampling are prevented, the merchandise is not touched by the clerk, and the partitioned tray assures the goods reaching the consumer without being crushed or multilated.

Having thus described and illustrated one form that my invention may take, I claim all modiiications and equivalents thereof that may come within the scope of the following claims:

l. A display carton having a box body and a removable flanged cover, a support dened on the box body by a weakened line and connected to the bottom by a hinged connection, said support on severance of said weakened line being turned under the box, one bottom edge of the box being engageable with one flange on the cover when removed and reversed and said support being engageable with the opposite flange on the cover to support the box in inclined position.

2. In combination, a carton having an open top, a display cover normally closing said top, a detachable flanged cover for said carton, a support formed from material of said carton and providing an opening in one side of said carton at the bottom, said support being turned under said carton and supporting said open side in raised position, one edge of the carton engaging one ange on said detachable cover, and said support engaging the opposite flange on said detachable cover.

3. In combination, a flanged holder, a carton disposed therein with one lower edge engaging a ange on one side of the holder, a support for the opposite edge of said carton engaging a flange on the opposite side of the holder, said carton adjacent said support having a dispensing opening, a display cover closing the top of said carton, and means locking said cover closed.

4. In combination, a carton having a plurality of flanges at its top, a display cover having a frame fitting over said flanges and a hinged cover, a name card folded under and over said cover and frame and locking said cover closed, said card having a name section extending beyond the cover and a tongue engaging said cover to hold the name section inclined with respect to the cover, said carton having a dispensing opening other than said display cover.

5. In combination, a carton having a plurality of anges at its top, a display cover having a frame fitting over said flanges and a hinged cover, a name card folded under and over said cover and frame and locking said cover closed, said card having a name section extending beyond the cover and a tongue engaging said cover to hold the name section inclined with respect to the cover, said carton having a dispensing opening at the bottom of the side under said name card, and means for supporting said open side in raised position and tilting said carton to display position.

6. In combination, a carton, a cover therefor, a plurality of layers of packages therein, the carton having a dispensing opening in one side adjacent the bottom for removal of the lower layer of packages, and means for supporting the top layer of packages when the lower layers are removed.

7. In combination, a carton, a cover closing the top thereof, a plurality of layers of packages therein, a dispensing opening in one side of the carton at the bottom thereof, a support for each package in the top layer, and means permitting release of said top packages from their supports when the lower layers have been removed from the carton.

8. In combination, a carton, a cover closing the top thereof, a plurality of superimposed packages in said carton, said carton having a severable section adjacent one lower edge adapted to provide a dispensing opening for the packages, and means supporting the top packages when the lower packages are withdrawn through said dispensing opening.

9. A carton blank having formed in succession thereon four side panels, bottom ilaps formed at the lower edges of two alternate side panels, securing flaps formed at the lower edges of the other two alternate panels, there being a weakened line extending horizontally across one of the panels having a bottom flap and continued onto the two adjoining panels having securing flaps, said line then extending vertically to the edges of said two adjoining panels and across said securing flaps.

l0. A carton blank having formed thereon in succession four side panels, two alternate side panels having at their lower edges bottom flaps of diierent widths, the other two alternate side panels having securing flaps at their lower edges, there being a weakened line extending horizontally across the side panel having the shorter bottom ilap, said line continuing onto the two adjoining panels a distance equal to the width of the said short bottom ilap, said weakened line then extending vertically to the lower edges of said side panels and across said securing flaps.

BRUCE J. DAVIDSON. 

